You've heard all the talk about how our population is changing; how we as educators must rise to the challenge by developing culturally relevant content and pedagogies to meet the educational needs of an increasingly diverse student body. You've seen all the reports about #blacklivesmatter and wondered what you can do to promote racial healing and increased understanding among your students.

The DEC has ideas for you...starting on the first day of class and continuing throughout the quarter. Contact us to find out how you can get involved--and try one of these ideas, all recommended by our students. Let us know how it goes!

1. DAY 1: DON'T CALL ROLL verbally. This creates a lack of safety for trans* and gender-non-conforming students. See this video for more ideas.2. Day 1: Find a way for students to self-identify which gender pronouns they use. You might share your own: "I'm ___, and I use she and her pronouns," to model this practice, then ask them to let you know in writing what pronouns they prefer. Explain that we cannot assume a person's gender by how they look.3. Week 1: Learn your students' names and how to pronounce them correctly. 4. Week 1: Facilitate small group formation for at least several weeks. Studies show that students who identify as "minorities" often find themselves left out or excluded from small group work. You can help by structuring small groups--and monitoring large group discussions so certain students don't dominate.5. Week 1 and anytime: Stop by the DEC to say hi! It is so powerful for students who use the DEC to see your faces and get to know you outside of class and office hours. Our busiest times are between 10 and 2, but come by anytime to see what's going on.6. Every day: Find a way to increase your own cultural competence and model it for your students. Our students had a panel at the beginning of the year to discuss their experiences in class and on campus. How do you think they answered these questions? (If you'd like to hear more about it, contact us!) 7. All quarter: Share campus events, encourage attendance, and bring students whenever possible. Decades of student retention research shows that students engaged in the full campus experience are more successful and more likely to achieve their college goals.